https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 03:00:38 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1879022 Mon, 15 Jan 2018 18:38:48 +0000 Christina F. 1879022@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, everyone, for the words of support and encouragement. I'm going to make a list of outfits for this week and next tonight (it's a holiday in the US). I'm already tracking wears and making notes about things that aren't working. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1878807 Sun, 14 Jan 2018 23:35:36 +0000 Lynn 1878807@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting to read your analysis and your goals. I am impressed. &nbsp;I too need to &nbsp;"drill down into what I really like, what works on me, and what's useful for my lifestyle".&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1878789 Sun, 14 Jan 2018 23:08:59 +0000 SarahD8 1878789@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great observations, Christina. Like Angie, I was going to suggest an outfit lab/outfit creation session for those cardigans. Take them one at a time if need be — figure out which three tops work under *this* cardi, write it down, and then tackle another some other day.</p> <p>Would planning outfits a week at a time work? That is what I try to do. I am not super consistent about it I admit but it is super helpful when I do manage. I think it’s less time consuming overall than planning each night before.</p> <p>And yes to the insight about capsules aiding one’s need for variety! That is what drew me to the system. We have 9-10 months of cool, wet weather here in Seattle and I would go nuts wearing the same stuff for months on end. But shifting my color palette every 2-3 months so that items are winking in and out of my “active” wardrobe helps. I find that I get sick of things month to month, but I love wearing the same items from year to year (I was SO excited to pull out my “deep winter” scarf again, it’s like seeing an old friend). Ymmv but something to consider in case it works for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1878782 Sun, 14 Jan 2018 22:36:37 +0000 Windchime 1878782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You're doing a great job assessing your wardrobe and setting goals!</p> <p>Re a true red sweater: I just got a cardigan from Uniqlo in a shade of red that looks like rich red wine. It's not burgundy nor Christmas red, and it has no orange. They have crewneck and vee neck cardigans in the same color. I'm sorry I can't do a link, but if you go to their website and search "women's red sweater", three or four options will pop up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1878773 Sun, 14 Jan 2018 22:21:43 +0000 Christina F. 1878773@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Angie,</b> there is a disconnect here. I think sometimes I find a new thing I like, then get excited and try to duplicate too quickly, without really thinking about how many I can use and how well they work. I can be very indecisive, which is one reason I end up keeping things that I ought not to. That's why being pickier is my number one goal. </p> <p>I think the problem with the long cardigans in particular is twofold. I do have some tops to wear under them. I actually wore the cardigans last year and had no problem in that department. The first problem is I have changed the way I store my clothes, and the cardigans are more out of the way now, and that's been an obstacle to me pulling them out. There's not much to be done about this aside from plan in advance. Also, I'd like to be able to layer them over some of my long sleeved blouses (rather than say a thin long sleeved cotton tee or a short sleeved top), but the two items together are often too tight on my upper arms. I can't do a pullover over long sleeves look most of the time either, for the same reasons, so I've mostly given up. Sizing up makes things too large everywhere else, so I&nbsp; guess this is one of my fit challenges.I think the cardigans fine with my coats, but I'll try to notice if that's a problem. I think I can continue to wear this style, and still like it, but that I don't need more of it. That latter realization is a huge one for me.</p> <p>I think planning my outfits out in chunks is a great idea. I have done this informally, just in my head but I might benefit from trying things together and writing down a list. Even the informal version has been a great way of making sure I wear a wider array of my clothes and of coming up with good outfits. I'm trying to upload more of my items into Finds to aid this process, as well. </p> <p>I went through a long period of experimentation through last year, and now it's time to drill down into what I really like, what works on me, and what's useful for my lifestyle. That's probably a major source of the disconnect. I found myself attracted to a more boho style for the frist time ever, and went farther down that path than maybe I'm ultimately comfortable with. I was also much less picky about what to keep than I'm trying to be now, and kept some things that ultimately didn't feel like winners. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1878764 Sun, 14 Jan 2018 22:09:06 +0000 Angie 1878764@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like a strategy that can work for you, <b>Lisa</b>. LOVE that you are organizing your closet! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1878742 Sun, 14 Jan 2018 21:38:34 +0000 Anonymous 1878742@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good advice, Angie, thank you. And I like your last paragraph about setting up a collection for the next bunch of weeks. &nbsp;I , right now, have my entire closet empty (why am I down in my office on the internet , you ask??) and on my bed .....tossing some pieces and organizing what I have.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1878739 Sun, 14 Jan 2018 21:30:37 +0000 Angie 1878739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FAB analysis,<b> Christina</b>. <i>Well done.&nbsp;</i></p> <p>Sooooo, I see a bit of of a disconnect. You get bored with what you wear, and you have lots of cardigans - but don't wear them. You mentioned you have to figure out<i> how</i> to wear them: </p> <ul> <li>Do you have the right layering essentials to wear under them?&nbsp;</li> <li>Do you like the way cardis work under your coats, or do you&nbsp;prefer the way pullovers layer? That might be another reason you don't wear your cardis.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>You&nbsp;might&nbsp;benefit&nbsp;from pulling out&nbsp;clothes that create fab cohesive&nbsp;outfits that secure your dressing needs for a couple of weeks. Do a little outfit creation session. Change the lot up every fortnight for ample varierty. Might be a worthwhile exercise.&nbsp; </p> <p><b>Lisa </b>and<b> Christina</b>,&nbsp;quick reminder that it's hard to find amazing clothing now. Dregs of Winter and Spring collections are only <i>just</i> hitting stores. Stay picky. Don't settle.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1878736 Sun, 14 Jan 2018 21:21:13 +0000 LaPed 1878736@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes -- your point about a capsule challenge helping to keep your wardrobe feeling fresh without buying anything new is spot-on. I'd never been able to articulate this, but it's absolutely true.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1878729 Sun, 14 Jan 2018 21:03:13 +0000 Helena 1878729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great insights! I love the idea of rotating clothes if you find you get bored easily. It's amazing what a look with fresh eyes can do. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1878728 Sun, 14 Jan 2018 21:01:06 +0000 Style Fan 1878728@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great analysis.&nbsp; I tried planning my outfits the night before when I was working but never did.&nbsp; Having outfit formulas helped me and that led to organizing my closet according to my formula.&nbsp; I did this without realizing it. &nbsp;<br />YLF has helped me to become pickier.&nbsp; And to know what to be picky about.<br />&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1878715 Sun, 14 Jan 2018 20:13:29 +0000 Janet 1878715@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can also relate very much to your “what have I learned” statements! I have many of the same tendencies you describe. I go shopping for a dressy top, find three and bring them all home! Eek. But I’m getting better about returning extraneous things. Or not purchasing them in the first place. My husband even remarked the other night that I’ve gotten really good about returning things that don’t work so well, and he’s been inspired to be better about that too (he placed a huge order for new winter sweaters/shirts, and two of them itched — he was trying to talk himself into thinking they wouldn’t bother him, and I talked him into returning them!). </p> <p>Great analysis. Good luck with your goals in 2018! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1878709 Sun, 14 Jan 2018 19:25:17 +0000 Christina F. 1878709@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>The Cat</b>, I will try, but I know my track record with this sort of thing isn't promising... Part of the problem is that most of my stuff is in the bedroom, so I have to remember to do this before my husband is asleep. I don't always succeed at that, and the bedroom is too small for me to be able to put a light on and get anything done while he's asleep. For one thing, I usually need the bed as a staging area. Maybe I should set a nightly reminder, but if it interrupts a show I'm watching, I'll likely ignore it. I can try to figure something out.</p> <p><b>Jenni</b>, thank you, but it's not a work promotion. I've been elected as one of the VP's of my office's Toastmasters Club But this means attending meetings outside of my organization, as this means I'm a member of the Area Council now. I won't need full business gear but suspect a little more polish won't go amiss. </p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1878698 Sun, 14 Jan 2018 18:54:44 +0000 Jenni NZ 1878698@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is awesome! Congrats on the new leadership role. You got that more than a decade ahead of me. I found in mine I dressed as me slightly smarter. Thank goodness there were not too many very public occasions. It was helpful to remember something a friendly male colleague of mine said ( about something else, not clothes, but I could apply it there) : "It's your brain they want".<br /> Like your new style words. Being eclectic does mean you may get bored and need to watch the tendency to buy too much ( I say to myself! ) Love the "whimsy" word too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1878697 Sun, 14 Jan 2018 18:52:35 +0000 The Cat 1878697@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting reflections, Christina.</p> <p>I really recommend planning your outfit the night before. I do this most days of the year, because my days start early and my brain works so incredibly slowly the first couple of hours after I (kind of) wake up that it is very difficult to make solutions even about small things. So before I go to bed, I plan my outfit (including footwear and other accessories) and hang it ready to wear, and I pack my bag etc. and often even choose which lipstick I'll wear. This makes my mornings a lot easier and has actually become a habit I enjoy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1878694 Sun, 14 Jan 2018 18:42:43 +0000 Christina F. 1878694@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's nice to have someone who really relates to where I'm at with my wardrobe, <b>Lisa</b>. :)&nbsp; Maybe we're just too cool to have style descriptors!</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1878693 Sun, 14 Jan 2018 18:41:24 +0000 Aurore 1878693@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you very much for sharing your analysis! I can relate to some of your goals and lessons learned, and reading your post is both inspiring and motivating! Keep up the good work! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1878691 Sun, 14 Jan 2018 18:37:19 +0000 Anonymous 1878691@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I could have written your first section " What I have learned". Each and every point is "me too". &nbsp;I am really struggling right now with this panicky feeling of not having decent work clothes, and not being able to find anything I want....so I start buying a bunch of second-best repeats of things I already have. &nbsp;UGH.</p> <p>I also related to your 2018 goals - most apply to me too. &nbsp;And I too, suck at describing my style. . Maybe because I don't have one </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-style-learnings-so-far#post-1878690 Sun, 14 Jan 2018 18:30:12 +0000 Christina F. 1878690@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yep, I've already figured out some stuff about how I dress, and it's only been a couple of weeks!&nbsp; Here is <a rel="nofollow" href="http://https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2018-wardrobe-goals-some-2017-reflection">my 2018 goals pos</a>t as a refresher, though I'll reproduce my goals below in short form.</p> <p><u><b>What I have learned:</b><br /></u> <ul> <li> <p>I must be much more picky about things I keep, especially relating to how tops fit me. I like a more relaxed silhouette than I used to, but the fit and length should be right. Petite sizes are an option for me here that I need to go to more. I’m borderline petite on top, but it depends on how long I want the top to be.</li> </ul> <ul> <li> <p>I don’t like having outfits with too many pieces in the winter. At least, I don’t have time in the mornings to figure out which cardigans go with which tops. When I find a combo that works, I repeat endlessly and get bored. Most of the time, I opt for a warm pullover or lighter top with a shawl I keep at work (very blah shade of grey but technically goes with everything). I am drawn to cardigans and other toppers, strongly, but I need to stop buying in this category until I can figure out how to wear them enough. (I am searching for a long black cardi but having trouble finding just the right one. It's becoming a HEWI. This is an exception to this rule.) Some on the forum have suggested layering underneath with Heattech. That will help me wear some of my blouses in the winter, if not help with the problem of wearing the cardigans I have.</li> </ul> <ul> <li> <p>I like my outfits (excluding accessories) to have ONE standout piece. While I do like bold colors pattern and and shine, I’m not a fan of mixing those things very much in one outfit.This means i need a selection of plainer tops and bottoms around. I already kind of knew this, but this is a stronger articulation of it than I've made before.</li> </ul> <ul> <li> <p>Once I try to fill a hole, or decide I like a new style, I end up buying too much. I should remember that my style is eclectic and I get bored easily, so I shouldn’t have too much of any one type of item. See my post on blouses for more on this. So for instance, now that I've decided I need more winter pants options, my goal is to add 2-3, not 5-7. (I think I have two and will stop looking actively; will also do a kind of winter pants lab post detailing what I have and trying to figure out what stops me from wearing some of them.)</li> </ul> <ul> <li> <p>I get bored of pieces after a while. Instead of buying more, maybe I should put some aside and then pull them out so things feel fresher. I was never attracted to capsule wardrobes before, but maybe I should be, now that I’ve realized this! But in reality, I’d get bored even quicker of the capsule items.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>I added a new goal (see bottom of list below)</li> </ul> <b>2018 goals:</b></p> <p><div><b>Buying fewer items: </b>doing well. Not perfect. I should try a shopping freeze next month, but I'm scared of going nuts afterwards. Moderation is the key. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>More pants options: </b>doing well, trying to be judicious about what I keep to make sure they pair with enough items I own. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Fewer flowy tops:</b> You all helped me pare this down a bit. I have one I bought that I'm currently debating keeping, though, but it might pertain better than the others I currently have to my new professional capsule (see new goal below)<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Pare down summer wardrobe </b>- n/a as yet</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Figure out how to layer more</b> - see conclusion above, but I have a lot of long cardigans and want to keep wearing them. It’s been hard because I’ve been keeping them somewhere harder to get at in the morning, when I’m in a rush. Planning the night before would help, but I know I’ll forget most of the time. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Add more pink and red: </b>I hope to do this over time. I am trying to get a red sweater but failing to find true red. Everything seems to be secretly orange these days. I ordered a sweater that looked good online but was orange. Looked nice, but it wasn't what I wanted.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Wear my skirts and dress</b> - I wore a skirt as soon as it warmed up this month. I have some wool skirts I can pull out.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>NEW: Replenish professional capsule: </b>I now have more of a need for this due to a professional organization where I've recently gained a leadership role. I think (but am not sure yet) need things that aren't quite suits but a little dressier than my usual office wear. I’ve added some trousers for winter and a dressy sweater.My old dressier clothes stopped fitting, and since my lifestyle changed I didn't replace too many. I have basic black and navy trousers, plus a black wool blazer, and a few shells in nice colors. I used to have fun patterned pencil skirts and have retained a couple (the rest stopped fitting). I don't know yet what other holes I might have in this area. I suspect the main one is something I've mentioned before - a dress in something like navy that's appropriate for the colder months. Also a non patterned button down top (probably will get both these items from Boden at some point). It will be a fun challenge trying to dress up a bit but remain true to my own style quirks.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>NEW: Style words! "Bold, eclectic urban whimsy." Maybe? I suck at describing my style. Eclectic is kind of the operative word ;)<br /></div> </p>